Chapter 17

17

“Is this alright?”

The question made Alison smile even as she pulled Liam into her chambers. Perhaps it was too soon for her to push this, but last night had been the first real touch Alison had had in years and she was eager to experience more of it. Her body had always been attuned to Liam’s and that fact had been made ever clearer when he pulled moans and sighs from her like fingers stringing a lute. Tonight, it was her turn to explore the ways Liam’s body reacted to her. She had to confirm, if only for herself, that he truly wanted this; wanted her.

“Aye. This is more than alright,” she replied, walking him to the bed before pushing him down to sit on the edge. She didn’t give him time to second-guess things, hiking up her skirts and straddling his lap. She smiled when his eyes widened, and his hands reached up to grip her hips gently, as if he might hurt her. “We are married after all. ‘Tis only right that we have this with each other.”

Liam swallowed hard, his mouth watering at the thought of getting to touch and taste the one woman whose body always called to him. The years he spent denying this simple fact had been hell and he had no desire to continue torturing himself and, by extension, Alison. He wanted her more than he had ever wanted anyone, and he would follow her lead this time and only take what was offered.

“Ye’re right.” He felt a knot slowly unravel when she giggled. The hands that he had been keeping at her waist slowly slid up her sides and he sighed at the feel of her. He had missed this—missed her. That first night, he had been so nervous that he’d never really taken the time to stop and think about how right she felt in his arms. It was a feeling he’d chased in body after body without realizing that what he was truly looking for had been right there beside him all along. It was humbling to realize that he’d been so unbelievably wrong about something. But it was freeing to realize he had someone by his side who would not only help him realize that, but also stand by his side.

He didn’t doubt that Alison was truthful when she said she kept the state of their marriage a secret. If she hadn’t, he probably would have lost favor with his people years ago. The only thing saving him was her, and he almost messed that up. Liam knew he had to do all he could to make her happy, and he would.

“And don’t you forget it,” Alison said with a disarming smile. Liam couldn’t stop himself from smiling back as he pulled her closer into the circle of his arms.

The first time they’d done this, Alison had been filled with nervousness about getting everything right. Despite her bravado, she had been trembling as she tentatively touched Liam, seeking to learn him in ways no one else would. Last night, she’d been confused and embarrassingly desperate, almost touch-starved. Now, she was ravenous and, in a way, competitive. She wanted to prove without a doubt that she was better than any other woman Liam had allowed to grace his bed and prove to him that going elsewhere would lead to nothing but disappointment.

One of Liam’s hands came up and cupped her cheek, and she leaned into the motion while gazing steadily at him. Liam’s palm was warm and deceptively soft. His thumb brushed her lip and Alison kissed it softly before reaching up to push up his simple shirt.

“Take this off.” Liam followed her order without a word, grabbing the bottom of the fabric and pulling it off with no hesitation. Alison stared at his broad chest. He’d grown into his own in ways that made her stomach clench with need. The skin here was a shade paler than his face and there were bruises scattered about, no doubt from the fight earlier with Bain.

Alison leaned in, ducking down to press her lips to one such bruise. Liam’s sigh was a balm to her ears, as was the gentle way his hand cupped the back of her head. He didn’t push or move her to where he wanted, simply kept his hand there as a way to feel another connection to her.

“No more fighting,” Alison said as she looked up at him.

Liam chuckled. “I can’t promise anything if he goes around trying to kiss you again.”

Alison rolled her eyes but smiled. “He won’t.”

“How do you know?” Liam asked. He was only half joking. He didn’t doubt Bain would make another play for Alison if only to get under Liam’s skin. “How do you know he won’t wait until you’re away from me and try to seduce you?”

Alison shook her head, but the serene smile on her lips didn’t wane. “Because I won’t let him.” She paused and looked at him. “Don’t you trust me?”

“With my life,” Liam said with no hesitation. “I trust you with all that I am.”

“Then let me handle him,” Alison finished. “I don’t need you two acting like savages and causing disruptions with the guards. People will start to talk and then the next thing you know, all the clan will be here.”

Liam nodded. “Whatever you wish, my love.” He hadn’t meant to let that slip, but now that the words were out, Liam found that he didn’t want to reel them back in. Alison froze above him and for a moment, he thought he had said the wrong thing, but after a moment, Alison started hastily unlacing her dress. Liam held up a hand to stop her. “What are you doing?”

Alison huffed out a soft laugh. “Do I need to explain myself before I kiss you? Or do I need to explain myself before we…” Her voice trailed off as one of her sleeves slowly slid over her shoulder. When she saw Liam’s gaze follow her motion, her smile sharpened.

“No,” Liam said with a shake of his head.

“Good,” Alison said before pushing his shoulder until he was laid out flat on the bed. She leaned in, brushing her lips over the shell of his ear before whispering, “Now, just sit back and enjoy.”

Liam didn’t push back on her words, instead enjoying letting someone else be in charge for once. The push and pull of them as they fell together in Alison’s bed burned away any thoughts of other women. Liam followed her lead, eyes greedy as their clothes fell away, leaving them bare skin tacky with sweat.

“You are so beautiful,” Liam whispered, his mind tattooing the image of Alison in pleasure. Their voices rose and fell together as they moved, bodies entwined and hands desperately clinging to one another. When they both collapsed together, Liam loathed for the moment to end. He still felt the flame ignited in his chest for her; this all-consuming need to be as close to her as possible. It loosened his tongue as he brushed back the damp strands of hair from her face.

“I have loved you from the first moment I saw you.”

Alison’s breath hitched at his confession. Despite her words, she had been hesitant to say anything to break the tenuous peace they had found themselves in. But this, his declaration of love, wasn’t something she could ignore.

“You have?”

Liam’s smile was soft as he cupped her blushing cheek. Having her leaned on his chest, their breaths in sync, was as close to perfect as he had ever felt. “Aye. Even when I tried not to. Even when I pushed you away to try to protect you from this need I have and my want to have you always, I have loved you. I didn’t want you to be hurt. I didn’t want to hurt you.”

Alison reached up, cupping his hand with hers. “You wouldn’t do that. You wouldn’t hurt me, Liam. I might need protection, but not from you.”

“Aye, I see that now,” he agreed, trying not to let guilt overwhelm his thoughts. “I thought I could satiate this desire elsewhere, but every woman I compared to you. And every time, they couldn’t compare to you. Even the na?veté of our wedding night was more perfect than anything I found after.”

Alison was conflicted. She hated hearing about the women he had bedded over the years, but she felt vindicated that his thoughts had remained full of her. The emotions warred in her mind as he continued.

“Ye’re the best thing that has ever happened to me, Alison. And I’m mad at myself for almost losing you.”

“Why did you do it, Liam?” She couldn’t help her desperate question. She was greedy for understanding. “Why didn’t you just talk to me about your feelings?”

Liam closed his eyes with a painful sigh. When he opened them, the emotion in them made Alison want to hug him anew and never let go. “Because I thought I didn’t deserve you.”

All fight went out of Alison then, and she leaned forward, lips aching for a kiss. When their lips met, the fire that had burned was still there, but this time the flames were warm like absolution. Liam pressed back, tasting Alison’s forgiveness and he nearly found himself trembling with thankfulness that this woman, the one he’d yearned for all these years, was still willing to be his. When Alison pulled back, her eyes were shiny with unshed tears.

“There’s still the matter of the bairn with Emily,” she said. Alison would have loved to do nothing more than luxuriate in bed with Liam, but they had matters to handle. “If she is to have your heir?—”

“Nay,” Liam cut in. “I may have been relentless in my pursuit of mindless pleasure, but I don’t forget faces. Emily isn’t one I remember.”

Alison frowned. “But, Bain said?—”

Liam shook his head. “Bain would do anything to have you.” His voice finished on a growl that had Alison clenching inside. She had to force herself to pay attention. “I do not think I slept with that woman. And anyone I did bed, I always made sure there would be no bairn. I never wanted to hurt you or anyone else.”

“Then how is she having your bairn?” Alison asked, trying to understand. Liam shook his head.

“I dinnae know, but I plan to find out just what is going on,” he said firmly. Liam had finally made peace with his foolish actions. He refused to let his marriage be tarnished without a fight.